When Jesus Christ Superstar first came to Broadway, religious groups dubbed it as blasphemous and it was even banned. Fast forward 40-odd years and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera is a hit musical all because it retells a biblical story in a "powerful" way says Tony Khublall, who is playing Judas in the latest production by Radlett Light Opera Society.

Loosely based on the Gospel's accounts of the last week of Jesus' life, Jesus Christ Superstar is narrated from the perspective of Judas Iscariot - the apostle who eventually betrayed Jesus.

"He's a complex and complicated character," says Tony, who has a musical theatre background performing with various local groups in the Full Monty, Sweeney Todd and even the opera Mikado. "On the face of it, he seems one dimensional, but if you delve down deep there's a lot of emotion.

"He thinks he is doing the right thing. He thinks he is helping Jesus and he is trying to keep order by staying under the radar. But the doubt and the anxiety kick in when he realises it is all going wrong and Jesus is creating too much of a fuss.

"Ultimately he realises he has been a pawn in the game," adds the 48-year-old from Enfield. "He was predestined to play this part and what comes out at the end is his love for Jesus - he does what he does because he loves him."

Tony, who used to work in sales before deciding to train to become a personal trainer, is incredibly passionate about musicals - his all time favourite would be Les Misérables and if he had the opportunity to perform in hit show it would be as Enjolras, the leader of the rebellion.

The former Whitmore High School pupil, who grew up in Harrow says: "I got the theatre bug when I was around 12-years-old. I originally wanted to be a musician - I play the clarinet and saxophone and always said that I either wanted to be a classical or jazz musician.

"But when I was playing in the school band, one of the teachers said they didn't have enough people to up on stage and to make up the numbers for their production of Viva Mexico, they asked if I could go up and be in with the chorus. I did that and the bug sort of bit me, next time I wanted to be in the show and not the orchestra."

The school production was Tony's first experience of theatre and he says that he didn't have much of an opportunity see many shows as a kid. "It was later on when I got to college and was working, so was able to got see more musicals. The big ones at the time were Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.

"I'm not a trained singer," admits Tony, "but I have been doing musical theatre for 25 years now, I love it, it's a wonderful way to tell a story. I also do the odd concert too - the biggest thing I have done is perform with the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra last May. It was an incredible experience to be singing with a 60-piece orchestra behind you... the sheer power and sound they make really does take you back."

Tony was one of three vocalist who performed with the orchestra at the University of Hertfordshire at their musical-themed concert.

Speaking about performing, he says: "It is a wonderful hobby to do. That amazing feeling you get, it just makes you feel alive like you're on cloud nine all the time. And not to mention having everyone around you, it really does feel like you have an extended family."

The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, May 17-21. Details: 01923 859291, radlettcentre.co.uk